Suspected tornado levels N.Y. home

May 22, 2014
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by Michael Winter, USA TODAY

by Michael Winter, USA TODAY

An apparent tornado destroyed at least one home, damaged others and downed trees and power lines in the capital region of eastern New York state Thursday afternoon, officials and forecasters reported.

The violent storm, with winds stronger than 100 mph and golf-ball-size hail, tore across rural Schenectady County and western Albany County about 3:30 p.m., The Daily Gazette reported. Two tractor-trailer trucks flipped on Interstate 88 and Route 20 in Schenectady County, where the most serious damage was reported.

A survey team will examine the area Friday to confirm whether it was a tornado, the National Weather Service in Albany said.

In the village of Delanson, the storm destroyed one house, and there was an unconfirmed report that two occupants were unaccounted for. The town of Duanesburg Volunteer Ambulance Corps suffered major damage and was knocked out of service, the Daily Gazette said.

A pizza maker told the Albany Times Union the sky "turned really dark, black almost, there were bolts of lightning and thunder and then quarter-size hail started pounding down."

"It was hailing so hard, I couldn't even see to the road," said Mark Caulfield, 19. "And then in about 10 minutes, the storm passed and it was beautiful clear, sunny skies."

The storm weakened as it moved eastward across the Hudson Valley, but a severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 8 p.m. for the region.